About the Community Economic Development (CED) Program

Community Economic Development (CED) is a federal grant program funding Community Development Corporations that address the economic needs of individuals and families with low income through the creation of sustainable business development and employment opportunities.

CED's projects create employment opportunities that lead to increased self-sufficiency for individuals with low income through a variety of activities, such as:

Capital expenditures such as the purchase of equipment or real property;

The CED program was born out of the War on Poverty, which began in 1964 with the Economic Opportunity Act. Learn more in the video, which provides a background and history of the War on Poverty and where we are as a country over 50 years since the effort to expand economic opportunity began.

CED awards funds to private, non-profit organizations that are community development corporations (CDCs), including faith-based organizations, and Tribal and Alaskan Native organizations. CDCs must be governed by a three-party board of directors that includes residents of the community served, and local business and civic leaders. CDCs must have as their principle purpose planning, developing or managing low-income housing or community development projects.

The CED program also provides technical and financial assistance for economic development activities.

For more information, contact:
Community Economic Development Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Community Services
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, DC 20447
Phone Number: (202) 401-5663CED@acf.hhs.gov